Arthur Hughes (1832 –1915) was born in London. He was an illustrator and painter associated with the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. He entered the art school at Somerset House in 1846. His first master was Alfred Stevens. He later joined the Royal Academy schools where he met Holman Hunt and John Everett Millais, and became one of the Pre-Raphaelite group of painters. He produced his first picture when he was only 17 years old. Since then he started contributing annually to the Royal Academy and later also to the New Gallery and the Grosvenor exhibitions. These were followed by many other exhibitions in many other locations. In 1855 he married Foord Tryphena, his model for April Love. His best-known paintings are The Long Engagement and April Love, both of which depict troubled couples mulling over the temporal nature of beauty and love.
These pieces were inspired by John Everett Millais's earlier "couple" paintings. Hughes also painted Ophelia just like Millais. This piece is housed at Toledo Museum of Art. The version produced by Hughes is in the form of a secular triptych. His works are noted for their magical, delicate draughtsmanship and glowing coloring. Hughes illustrated some of the books by George MacDonald since they were in close contact. He also produced numerous illustrations for “Good Words”, the Norman MacLeod monthly magazine. The artist died in 1915 in Kew Green, London, leaving behind more than 700 known drawings and paintings, along with more than 750 book illustrations. His art is found in many galleries, museums, homes and institutions all over the world.
